John Hjorth

I'm kicking a small footnote in here, that there actually exist other insurance companies with similar business model, but they may be few. I am only aware of one though : Protector Forsikring ASA, Oslo, Norway [ PROTCT.OS][ CoBF topic ]. - - - o 0 o - - - Now back to Fairfax 2024.

You certainly need to cool down, - at least bit, @ValueArb. To me, you've lost it here in this topic. I'll likely get some response from you based on this, but please do not expect me to respond. Personallly, I really hate and disgust when other people are trying to explain to me my own opinion.

It is even good for your health

About the Russian economy : The Guardian - Opinion - Russia [July 24th 2024] : Russia is lying about its economic strength: sanctions are working – and we need more [Eight European finance ministers]. Financial Times - Letter [August 16th 2024] : West must test Putin’s claims about the Russian economy [From Elisabeth Svantesson, Swedish Minister for Finance, Stockholm, Sweden]. Fortune - Commentary - Russia [ August 19 2024] : An economic catastrophe is lurking beneath Russia’s GDP growth as Putin ‘throws everything into the fireplace'. I must appear pretty clear and evident to every reader, that the direction of the development in the Russian economy is unsustainable in every view and perspective other than the near short term. All-in, using national wealth funds purposed for the future on warfare, burning its candle in both ends.

Let it go. Total waste of your time and mental energy. Not a matter for any of us here on CoBF. Your only feasible reaction on the AAPL sale is [Berkshire] hold, sell - whole or partially, or buy more. No matter your stance related to Mr. Buffetts doings on this Berkshire position, you had no influence on the decision when it was made, - what so ever. No matter what you think about it by now, it has been a homerun. In short, it's 'the privilege' of investing in a majority controlled listed conglomerate. Get used to it, or those kind of investments are not for you.

This.

As you see, @Spooky, There were no actual constructive contributions from the bookworms here on CoBF about the matter, so I haven't more or less 'just bought one'. I will likely tinker more with the issue when we up here in Northern Europe enter the dark period later this year, I suppose and think. - So the short answer is 'No' to your question.

ChrisO_wiki on X about Russian conscripts in the Ukrainian Kursk offensive [warning : It's a shocking and heartbreaking read] :

Thank you, @nsx5200 and @Fly, Now we're actually getting somewhere, I think. 'The bad guys' [from general sentiment] named 'culprits',so far, has been the Pharmacy Benefit Managers [PBMs] and the producers [because of their profits by doing so], while the roots to the issue at hand is far reaching to a wider extent, rooted into culture and way of living. Basically it boils down to taking responsibility for own body, dosen't it?

A view into some odd corners of the democracy in a tiny state in the Northern Europe, involving the concept and definition of democracy, energi policy and security policy, all in a friggin' big bunch : Jyllandsposten - Debate - Leader column [August 16th 2024] : Even if the truth about Nord Stream is inconvenient, it must come out. Translation : I'll just say : *this*. It's highly likely written by editor in chief Marchen Geertsen.

Just for purpose of showing proportions interpartes, from trading economics [today, and all 2023 numbers] : Russia GDP : USD 2,021 B, USA GDP : USD 27,361 B Euro area GDP : USD 15,545 B, Germany GDP : USD 4,456 B United Kingdom GDP : USD 3,340 B France GDP : USD 3,031 B Italy GDP : USD 2,255 B. Please mind the individual proportions. - - - o 0 o - - - I'm still a firm believer that the econoimic consequences of this war already have imposed irrevocable damage to the economy of Russia, and the consequences of that will be for many years to come, the geografic definition of Europe [see Wikipedia] is generally set to the east to be in Russia [at the Ural mountains], and it will change to something like exclusive Russia, like 'Between the Urals and Europe we have the hellhole called Russia [totally isolated from the West]'.

For informational and leisure purposes only, and please make your own assesments and judgements : Forbes [September 21st 2022] : Meet The Investor Willing To Put His Money Into Ponzi Schemes. His Fund Is Up 593% [<- I can't help it : ]. Well, according to the content of the article, Harris Kupperman must now be 42 or 43. He will eventually 'cool down' and settle from being a pretty wild thing - it certainly drags out teeth to blow up with other peoples money, that's for sure. Entertaining to read about and to follow, without Mr. Kupperman totally being a break clown in circus, only there for the kids. When you have chosen such path for making money - making money off clients, as the contrary to making money with others [called partners], one has to be promotional.

A fairly good piece [in my personal opinion] by Reuters today : Reuters [August 17th 2024] : How Russia looked the wrong way as Ukraine invaded. It's fairly long, written as detailed notes on timeline basis brought together, describing all chaotic elements and events. I like it so, instead of reading the reporters assessments and conclusions. Total chaos in the communication among ranks in the line of command in the Russian military. I'm puzzled one can get away with lying about the actual situation to Putin without getting axed. It reads as total lack of any kind of structure, based on an agreed modus operandi / procedure and followed to the point, with precision. It has incompetence and dishonesty painted all over it. A pitty of military performance, verging to being laughable, I would say. What a disaster. - - - o 0 o - - - Two bridges important for the Russian military supply chain taken out in the Kursk area.

Today, I stumbled on X over the thread below. I would appreciate comments about the content and information from CoBF members with knowledge about the matter at hand in the thread. [I am personally a bit skeptical about the source and the author [selfpromoting ghostwriter, as I understand the account info.].]

Ha! - -But I have to give with regard to the share numbers owned are totally identical by last reporting.

Greg [ @Gregmal ], The following Wikipedia articles hits, what I'm talking about above, fairly well : Wkipedia : Western values, & Wikipedia : European values.

As a European CoBF member, I just have to say, I cringe out of embarrasment by reading your post, - for my part, not yours. Europe as such should naturally be able to stand on its own feet and defend it self against foreign agressors, which it - as a fact - isen't at the moment. [ How lame is that? - It's just such a bad joke.] However the general European sentiment is we will improve on that, but it will take time. Ramping up military spending is big deal involving a lot inertia, based on bureaucrasy and such. - - - o 0 o - - - Basically, it is al about preserving Western values of life in European societies, which I hope you agree is the right thing to invest in.

Thanks, @UK & @Xerxes, I'm still shocked by reading this. Not shocked - at all - that Volodymyr Zelenskyy may have signed off on this action and may have supported it on a practical level. Extraordinary times and circumstances may from time to time to require extraordinary measures and may contain an element of Catch-22 and imply Collateral damage. To me, if he has participated in this, he has just done what his people rightfully might have expected of him as their leader and as a patriot. I'm also fine with him not public taking responsibility, when the adversary behaves like in this overall sitiuation. Bullies mostly understand nothing but brute force. I take issue with the Danish and Swedish governments handling of the case, who initiated investigations of what happened back then, only to 'burry' achieved findings and conclusions with a 'confidential' stamp, based on the matters were 'relevant for the safety of the state'. Utter *BS* and hipocrisy in two open democracies. More stinky than fishy - bad odeor all over it.

I think maybe you forgot Kuppys involvement in Sark Property Company as anchor investor. [A mini Joe?]

War fatigue and what ever, what do I know : Bloomberg - News [August 15th 2024] : Ukraine Reports Largest Surrender by Russian Troops of War . At least these - about 100 or so - prisoners of war may likely now have material improved life prospects, Or not? Yet : How to explain - when home in Russia again - that you have done nothing wrong again Mother Russia while in Ukrainian captivity? - Why did you surrender? - etc.

Thanks for sharing, @gfp, It's very interesting. I have always wondered, why Berkshire hasen't does more of this stuff [called 'intelligent finance' and so]. In the 'total system' there must have been large amounts of net financial costs to save, from a group perspective. [I personally loved to help clients with such stuff earlier in life, before the hair turned grey and started an exodus due to gravitation etc. from a point, where every direction is south bound ...] Very easy money earned for a satisfied and happy client, fairly easy work for a relative huge bill to client, all happy. I suppose this has something to do with both Mr. Buffetts and Mr. Mungers abhorrence for administrative and corporate bloat. I wonder if these transactions has been based on Mr. Abel calling Mr. Jain, or Mr. Abel setting someone up to call Mr. Jain.

Oops, fixed factual error about Åland Islands in post above, - thank you, @UK.

It's an economic main stream media thingy / phenomen, it's all about clicks, subscriptions, also as a basis attracting advertising, and thereby advertising income, etc. Next, the people in all kind of financial institutions responsible for sales, assets under management, fees and commisions set in on how they are there for you to help you out of your actual misery from what other or maybe yourself may have done of harm to your self related to your actual situation [just to get the opportunity fleece you, that is]. Simultaneously and together with those first and second waves of gobbling you have members and participants in the political systems everywhere venting their stances on this and that that is actually up for discussion, with 'this can't be right, this is not going to end up well, -we absolutely need to take decisive actions to avoid the future consequenses of that - now!'. Turkey farm behavior and pattern all over it : That said, for the last few years that I've had a subscription on Economist, I read and scrutinize the byweekly tables of Economic & financial indicators and Makets data, which provides a great pushback on all the 'Turkey noise', ref. above, because you get data, - data with no comments and no noise attached, and gradually one gets an overall feeling how certain parts or countries in world are doing, which matters to me, for my basic understanding of local conditions at given location on the planet.

Reuters [August 14th 2024] : Germany issues arrest warrant for Ukrainian diver in Nord Stream probe, media report. Maybe some material facts of importance was 'burried' [withheld] by the Danish and Swedish government in the first place, because the release of it would affect public sentiment at the time? [- politicians are soo smart, right?] - - - o 0 o - - - I have my eyes firmly fixed on the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen here.

Bloomberg - News (video) - August 6th 2024] : How This Archipelago Became a NATO-Russia Flashpoint. The story about how the history and the present of the Åland Island [Swedish Finnish] in the Baltic Sea has evolved related to the big neighbour Russia to the East. Reminds me a bit about the relation of Bornholm [Danish, also located in the Baltic Sea, but south of Sweden. The 'forgotten island' in Danish terms and a bad conscience in Danish history, where WWII diden't end at the date of German capitulation, untill about a year later - Russian troops simply did not leave the island untill about a year after, and actually a few island citizens lost their life in that diplomatic mess to solve the issues after the end of the war, which caused Russia to actually bomb the two 'major' [still small] cities on Bornholm.